Optical system for obtaining surgical information

Abstract

In certain embodiments, an optical system for obtaining surgical information includes a probe housing a first optical fiber, a light source, a photoanalyzer, and an optical circulator optically coupled to each of the first optical fiber, the light source, and the photoanalyzer. The optical circulator has a first port configured to receive source light generated from the light source, a second port configured to transmit the source light from the first port to the first optical fiber, and a third port configured to transmit return light in the first optical fiber from the second port to the photoanalyzer. The first optical fiber is configured to emit at least a portion of the source light in the first optical fiber from the probe to contact a body structure, and collect light returning from the body structure as a result of the portion of the source light contacting the body structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.